Thomas Daschle: “Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have a guarantee under law and treaty that we provide health benefits to them and…”

“Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have a guarantee under law and treaty that we provide health benefits to them and to their families. They are not getting it today. In fact, we are falling dramatically short of the budget required to buy them the services that they must now have. In fact, we are so short that we are now under a life or limb test. Unless your life is threatened, unless you may chance the loss of a limb, you are deferred treatment in most Indian health care facilities today. This amendment would simply provide clinical services funding for any current users--not for anybody who is currently ineligible, but only for those who are eligible today. We must provide this health care under the law. This amendment would do it.”